<p>Cancer had claimed Arif Khan, India's then ambassador to Italy, in February last year. <br />"We deeply mourn the passing of Raminder Jassal our Ambassador in Turkey. Dear friend and brilliant colleague," Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said.<br /><br />Jassal has been as India's ambassador in Ankara since 2008.A 1976-batch IFS officer, Jassal's diplomatic career spanned important postings as India's ambassador to Israel and Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington.<br /><br />As a member of the Indian negotiating team for the landmark India-US civil nuclear deal, the veteran diplomat played an important role in the transformation of the India-US relations during his stint as the deputy chief of mission in Washington. <br /><br />Jassal was India's public face as spokesperson of the external affairs ministry during India's 1999 military confrontation with Pakistan, known as the Kargil conflict. <br /><br />He served as joint secretary and spokesperson of the external affairs ministry from 1999 to 2001.<br /><br />Diplomats and colleagues recalled myriad facets of the senior diplomat at a condolence meeting held in South Block. Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon were also present</p>
<p>Cancer had claimed Arif Khan, India's then ambassador to Italy, in February last year. <br />"We deeply mourn the passing of Raminder Jassal our Ambassador in Turkey. Dear friend and brilliant colleague," Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said.<br /><br />Jassal has been as India's ambassador in Ankara since 2008.A 1976-batch IFS officer, Jassal's diplomatic career spanned important postings as India's ambassador to Israel and Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington.<br /><br />As a member of the Indian negotiating team for the landmark India-US civil nuclear deal, the veteran diplomat played an important role in the transformation of the India-US relations during his stint as the deputy chief of mission in Washington. <br /><br />Jassal was India's public face as spokesperson of the external affairs ministry during India's 1999 military confrontation with Pakistan, known as the Kargil conflict. <br /><br />He served as joint secretary and spokesperson of the external affairs ministry from 1999 to 2001.<br /><br />Diplomats and colleagues recalled myriad facets of the senior diplomat at a condolence meeting held in South Block. Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon were also present</p>